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Post by franko on Aug 13, 2009 19:58:03 GMT -5
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Post by CentreHice on Aug 13, 2009 21:43:25 GMT -5
94....what a great ride. Inventor of the electric guitar. Designed a solid-body electric guitar that solved a lot of problems, and consulted on the guitar that bears his name. (Thanks, TNG.) Changed the face of music, you might say! RIP LP. Picked up a vintage Les Paul a few years ago. 1973 Deluxe Goldtop. Left-handed. Re-routed by Gibson for the larger pickups.  Click for larger image. In the AP feature above, they show Pete Townshend with a Fender Strat.  You'd think they'd have used a pic of him playing a Les Paul. Not too hard to do...  Other legends who've used the Paul for their signature sound.  Jimmy Page  Jeff Beck  Duane Allman  Peter Frampton  Al Di Meola |
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Post by jkr on Aug 14, 2009 5:38:10 GMT -5
Also pioneered multi track recording I believe.
I went looking for some of his stuff on CD last year but couldn't find anything at the usual outlets - Future Shop etc.
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Post by franko on Aug 14, 2009 6:49:03 GMT -5
Picked up a vintage Les Paul a few years ago. 1973 Deluxe Goldtop. Left-handed. Re-routed by Gibson for the larger pickups. OK -- to say "a little jealous" is an understatement! 'course, I play a 12-string, no pick-up, and my son's beginner Strat [I think} sits in the corner of my office gathering dust . . . but a real guitar . . . wow! Nice catch! Also pioneered multi track recording I believe. among other things. |
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Post by cigarviper on Aug 14, 2009 7:06:20 GMT -5
...and played every Monday night at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City, an iconic jazz club gigged by the who's who of the music industry over many years. All came to pay homage to Les Paul. He was an inventor, an innovator, an artist and a visionary who meant much, much more to musical history than Michael Jackson.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 14, 2009 7:19:31 GMT -5
I honestly never knew of Les Paul's contributions to the industry until I heard of his passing. Then I read this thread and decided to find out more about him. Gibson Les PaulLes Paul's story.CV, who in your opinion who would have contributed more the industry? I think Jackson contributed to a generation or two, but a guy like Les Paul may only have a few peers based on his contributions. Any names come to mind? Cheers. |
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Post by franko on Aug 14, 2009 8:18:29 GMT -5
CV, who in your opinion who would have contributed more the industry? I think Jackson contributed to a generation or two, but a guy like Les Paul may only have a few peers based on his contributions. Any names come to mind? Dis, anyone who is anyone in the field of Rock and Roll will acknowledge his contribution -- not only with the guitar sound, but also with his innovations and techniques. Interesting interview with Randy Bachman on CBC this morning -- told the story of his meeting Les Paul and LP's influence. There'll be a bunch more accolades in the days ahead, be sure. Two comments from an obit in the NP: His childhood piano teacher wrote to his mother, “Your boy, Lester, will never learn music.”touring in 1948, [his] car skidded off an icy bridge. Among his many injuries, his right elbow was shattered; once set, it would be immovable. Paul had it set at an angle, slightly less than 90 degrees, so that he could continue to play guitar. Some other thoughts: true geniusremembrancewhat others think |
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Post by franko on Aug 14, 2009 8:20:54 GMT -5
Also pioneered multi track recording I believe.
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Post by The New Guy on Aug 14, 2009 9:14:13 GMT -5
94....what a great ride. Inventor of the electric guitar. Wow. Changed the face of music, you might say! RIP LP. Picked up a vintage Les Paul a few years ago. 1973 Deluxe Goldtop. Left-handed. Re-routed by Gibson for the larger pickups. Click for larger image. In the AP feature above, they show Pete Townshend with a Fender Strat. You'd think they'd have used a pic of him playing a Les Paul. Not too hard to do... Actually Les Paul had very little to do with the design of the Gibson-Les Paul - IIRC he designed the bridge and "consulted" on the rest of the project (mostly giving advice in solving certain problems) but the Gibson-Les Paul was very much a Gibson guitar. Les Paul also did not "invent" the electric guitar. He sort of invented the solid-body electric guitar (there were electric guitars before his, they were just hollow body models; also strictly speaking he didn't invent the solid body design, but the designs that predate his "log" were very different from all modern electric guitars (they used a lot of steel in the design rather than wood). I say this not to detract from the man, mind you, but to reveal what he was. His "log" guitar (a piece of lumber with a self-designed pickup and two half guitars glued to the side) solved many of the problems that existed with early electric guitars (feed back and sustain come to mind). He also was a master of sound engineering - full utilizing all the advantages the electric guitar provided him. And he played pretty good guitar too. Let's not forget that. As a young man he was involved in an accident that severely damaged one of his arms. The doctors said he wouldn't have much range of motion once they set it, so he asked them to set it in a way so that he could still cradle a guitar and play it. That's dedication! Also, some notable Gibson-Les Paul players you missed: Eric Clapton (although he's better known for his ES-335) The Edge (U2) John Fogerty Ace Frehley David Gilmour (his solo work, not his Pink Floyd stuff) Dave Grohl George Harrison John Lennon (post Beatles) Bob Marley Paul McCartney Roy Orbison Eddie Van Halen Joe Walsh Neil Young Frank Zappa |
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Post by CentreHice on Aug 14, 2009 10:46:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the clarification/info, TNG. (I've modified my first post, giving you credit.) Like you said, not to take anything away from the man. Gibson put his name on it for a reason, though. I'd take that, wouldn't you?  I just hope he got his due $$-wise from that. Many elite guitar players/well-known musicians have had a Les Paul in their hands for sure. And a lot of "signature sound" comes from playing techniques/tricks, effects pedals, and amp selections as well. I was talking about the Les Paul being a player's main axe...ie. when you think of that player, you think of a Paul.....and my list was not exhaustive, by any means. Did you get your list from a Gibson site...or a Wikipedia Gibson site? Cause that would explain why some of those artists are on there.... Zappa, for example, used several guitars....not strictly the Paul. Gibson SG and Fender Strat to name just two. Clapton has used a wide variety over the years, too. A psychedelic SG (called The Fool) during his Cream days, but he did use a Paul as well; the ES-335 during Blind Faith, (at least it's on the back cover of the album)....and a Strat from Derek and the Dominos til now. Eddie Van Halen used a modified Charvel (the famous red guitar with stripes on it)....then a Kramer (using the same design). Paul McCartney is not known for his electric six-string lead guitar playing. His signature sound would come from a bass: a Hofner and a Rickenbacker. I know he's a multi-instrumentalist....I don't know what kind of acoustic guitars or keyboards he prefers. (He's not a shabby drummer, either! ) ---------------------------------- In a youtube clip...Eddie Van Halen gives Les Paul credit (beside him on-stage) for inventing multi-track recording....as jkr and franko have posted. |
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Post by habernac on Aug 14, 2009 11:05:12 GMT -5
McCartney's acoustic guitar (with a Detroit Red Wings sticker) is an Epiphone Texan.
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Post by cigarviper on Aug 14, 2009 20:28:44 GMT -5
I honestly never knew of Les Paul's contributions to the industry until I heard of his passing. Then I read this thread and decided to find out more about him. Gibson Les PaulLes Paul's story.CV, who in your opinion who would have contributed more the industry? I think Jackson contributed to a generation or two, but a guy like Les Paul may only have a few peers based on his contributions. Any names come to mind? Cheers. Hard to say Dis. The first guy to put a bass drum on the floor and attach a pedal to play it with a foot gets a nod from me. ;D Some say William Ludwig, others disagree. As does the first hihat player (possibly Gene Krupa). As for Michael Jackson, he was a hell of an entertainer but as far as music itself goes, there are far more influential artists throughout his lifetime that have contributed more, IMO. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 14, 2009 21:13:32 GMT -5
I honestly never knew of Les Paul's contributions to the industry until I heard of his passing. Then I read this thread and decided to find out more about him. Gibson Les PaulLes Paul's story.CV, who in your opinion who would have contributed more the industry? I think Jackson contributed to a generation or two, but a guy like Les Paul may only have a few peers based on his contributions. Any names come to mind? Cheers. Hard to say Dis. The first guy to put a bass drum on the floor and attach a pedal to play it with a foot gets a nod from me. ;D Some say William Ludwig, others disagree. As does the first hihat player (possibly Gene Krupa). As for Michael Jackson, he was a hell of an entertainer but as far as music itself goes, there are far more influential artists throughout his lifetime that have contributed more, IMO. Have to agree, CV. (sounds like a board meeting, no?) Not to take anything away from Les Paul, but I read somewhere MJ took some of his dance moves from Fred Astaire. Likewise, I was talking to a semi-pro musician a few years back and he told me that a lot of Elvis' style of music was actually pirated from Chet Atkins. I used to believe it until I found some information. Here's what I mean. Check out this cut and paste from Wikipedia: Chester Burton Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001), better known as Chet Atkins, was an influential American guitarist and record producer who created, along with Owen Bradley, the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.
His picking style, inspired by Merle Travis, Django Reinhardt, George Barnes and Les Paul, brought him admirers within and outside the country scene, both in the United States and internationally. Atkins produced records for Perry Como, Elvis Presley, Eddy Arnold, Don Gibson, Jim Reeves, Jerry Reed, Skeeter Davis, Connie Smith, Waylon Jennings and others.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chet_Atkins (link) I grew up with Chet Atkins (AKA Mr Guitar) in our house. Growing up the only other guitarist who left an impression on me was Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath (can you say polar opposite). After him I outgrew Mr Atkins much to my parents chagrin. However, Iommi started what was to become a whole bunch of new positive triggers caused by David Gilmour, Carols Santana, Angus Young, Richie Blackmore, Eddie Van Halen, etc. But I never forgot Mr Atkins or his music that used to echo through our house as we just went about doing this and that. And to think he was inspired by several pickers including Les Paul. Son of a gun! I never would have known this had Franco not started this thread. Cheers. |
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Post by cigarviper on Aug 14, 2009 23:54:38 GMT -5
Not Michael Jackson, but related none the less.  Incidentally, Tommy Emmanuel (on the right) is touring Ontario and Quebec this month. There is no better man on the six string accoustic guitar in the world today. If you can get out to see Tommy, he will make the effort worth it, I assure you. www.fingerstyleguitar.ca/Tommy2009.htmlTommy is an icon in his native Australia. Tommy and his brother Phil performed live in Sydney at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics in 2000. He lived and played with Chet Atkins in his formative years. Class is in session. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 15, 2009 8:17:08 GMT -5
Not Michael Jackson, but related none the less. If I were to close my eyes I would have thought I was listening to Chet Atkins. It was this music that rang through our house in the late 60's and very early 70's. Might not be a bad thing to get out to, CV. I'm on the website right now and he's playing in downtown Ottawa at the Dominion Chalmers United Church on the corner of Cooper and O'Connor. I know where that is. Might have to think about this one. I honestly don't know who the musician is in the commercial. However, when Les takes the guitar and strums a few bars it reminded me of classic Stevie Ray Vaughan. I have several SRV CD's today. I was first introduced to SRV when visiting a buddy in Debert NS back in 1985. The tape (thank you Mr Paul) I was listening to was "Couldn't Stand the Weather." The entire CD remains one of my faves today. Great to see Carlos Santana talking about Mr Paul as well. That You Tube clip was an awesome short story of Mr Paul's legacy. Cheers. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 15, 2009 8:31:44 GMT -5
Try to focus on the music and not the video itself. Here's what I meant when I said the commercial reminded me of SRV. I can hear a bit of Chet Atkins, Santana and of course, 'root-Les-Paul'. And it's hard not to envision where Stevie may have gotten his influence here. Cheers. |
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Post by Yossarian on Aug 16, 2009 15:33:40 GMT -5
CH, are you an Al Di Meola fan? I'm impressed with your inclusion of him in the list. He's one of my faves.
I beleive you're right on EVH; I don't think EVH ever used a Les Paul in recording, or on stage. He used a EVH Ernie Ball custom later on, and now has his Wolfgang custom line of gear made by Peavey.
Add Slash to the list. He was a signature Les Paul player. Before Guns N Roses, you could pick up a used Les Paul at a pawn shop for a few hundred bucks. Not after they became huge.
Although he uses a PRS mostly now, and uses a variety of different gear, Alex Lifeson has used, and still occasionally uses a Les Paul on stage.
It never worked for me, as my with small hands, I never found one that had the right "feel". But put a Les Paul through a high gain tube amp, and nothing crunches nicer!!!
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Post by CentreHice on Aug 16, 2009 20:30:08 GMT -5
CV, are you an Al Di Meola fan? I'm impressed with your inclusion of him in the list. He's one of my faves. I beleive you're right on EVH; I don't think EVH ever used a Les Paul in recording, or on stage. He used a EVH Ernie Ball custom later on, and now has his Wolfgang custom line of gear made by Peavey. Add Slash to the list. He was a signature Les Paul player. Before Guns N Roses, you could pick up a used Les Paul at a pawn shop for a few hundred bucks. Not after they became huge. Although he uses a PRS mostly now, and uses a variety of different gear, Alex Lifeson has used, and still occasionally uses a Les Paul on stage. It never worked for me, as my with small hands, I never found one that had the right "feel". But put a Les Paul through a high gain tube amp, and nothing crunches nicer!!! Yes, I was in the minority in high school when I was listening to Return For Forever, then I I got into his solo stuff....what a great player. And our guitar player now uses a PRS....but he says nothing sounds like a Paul through a Marshall stack. It's just that it's such a heavy guitar. Many players have switched due to neck and shoulder problems. |
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Post by cigarviper on Aug 16, 2009 21:01:32 GMT -5
My son has a LP and a Strat yet he plays the Mockingbird most  I must admit, the LP is not the most comfortable guitar to play but a Strat, come on. A Strat is like an old pair of blue jeans. |
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You'd think they'd have used a pic of him playing a Les Paul. Not too hard to do...
I just hope he got his due $$-wise from that. 
I must admit, the LP is not the most comfortable guitar to play but a Strat, come on. A Strat is like an old pair of blue jeans.